Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.

Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.

Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.

Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for use in the flush cistern of a water closet comprises a reservoir (13) for the liquid formulation which is fed from an inverted container (5) maintaining a constant liquid level (47) in the reservoir (13) at the mouth (37) of the container. A displacement body in the form of a piston (9), which may be magnetic, moves in a bore (56) to dispense liquid through opening (25). The piston (9) is moved by a float (11) which moves up and down as the level of water L in the cistem rises and falls on flushing. The float is coupled to the piston (9) magnetically. In another embodiment a direct mechanical coupling is used. Liquid seeps past piston (9) when in the lowered position, and is raised to overflow outlet (25) when the cistem fills. In another embodiment, liquid is dispensed on a downward stroke of the piston. The fit of piston (9) in the bore allows liquid to seep slowly past the piston to replenish the bore.

Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.

Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.

Abstract: A cleansing block for treating water comprises from 40% to 80% by weight of a halogen release agent, from 20 to 55% by weight of a surfactant component, and from 1 to 10% by weight of a hydrophobe.